Former Cardiff lifeguard brings Encinitas bodysurfing legend to the big screen

When filmmaker Ian Moore first spotted Mark Drewelow in the lineup at Blacks Beach, the sight was unforgettable. “It was a pretty sizable day,” Moore recalls in a news release. “Mark was taking off on at least a 10-foot wave, holding this beautiful high line and riding the wave to the fullest. Before that, I really only knew bodysurfing at places like Sandys or the Wedge—quick barrel, quick slam. But Mark was surfing. The way he moved, the way he carried himself—it was pure flow. And when I finally met him in the water, he was so excited to see another bodysurfer. He immediately took me in like family. His stoke levels were off the charts. I knew right then I had found the subject for my bodysurf movie.”

That spark led to The Man in the Yellow Cap, a new short film premiering Saturday, Oct. 11 at La Paloma Theater in Encinitas. The project began as part of Moore’s larger documentary on bodysurfing’s path toward Olympic recognition, with Drewelow positioned as a pivotal figure. But after Drewelow’s passing in March, Moore felt a sense of urgency. “The bodysurf and ocean community deserved to see something now, to hear Mark’s story while we’re still grieving and healing together,” he explains in the news release.

For Encinitas, Drewelow’s presence was more than just in the water. A resident since 2001 and a regular at Seaside Reef, he became affectionately known as “The Seaside Bodysurfer.” His smile, mentorship, and energy touched countless people both in the lineup and around town. Drewelow was also a prominent member of Del Mar BodySurfing and helped the team win its first World Championship in 2024.

For Moore, the film is also a reflection of his creative philosophy. A former SDSU water polo player, Hano Hano Outrigger team paddler, and California State lifeguard at Cardiff, Moore’s San Diego roots run deep. “Being both an athlete and a cinematographer has led me to some incredible places around the world,” Moore says in the news release. “From wingsuit pilots to drift car drivers to big wave surfers, I’ve filmed people pushing the limits of human experience. My focus is always on sharing that feeling with the audience so they feel included. This story of bodysurfing—and of Mark—is also about them.”

Moore hopes that audiences walk away inspired not just by Drewelow’s skill but by his spirit. “Mark was such a positive influence on me and on the whole bodysurfing community,” he says. “He helped bring the sport to new heights, and I wanted to highlight his contributions while making sure we carry that momentum forward. The bodysurfing community is filled with love and humility, and there’s so much everyone can learn from it—about connection, about resilience, and about the healing power of the ocean.”

The film is also a starting point for something bigger. Moore is continuing work on a feature-length documentary that expands the lens beyond one man’s legacy to the global story of bodysurfing. “Mark inspired me to use my talents for water cinematography, directing, and editing to bring this story to life,” Moore added in the news release. “It began with him, but there are so many amazing vignettes that make up the larger story. I want to capture those voices and moments, to share the gift of this sport that both Mark and I love.”

The Man in the Yellow Cap premieres Oct. 11, at 5 p.m., at La Paloma Theater in Encinitas (address: 471 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas).

Tickets are available at www.thelocalgist.comInstagram: @The_Man_in_the_Yellow_Cap (https://www.instagram.com/the_man_in_the_yellow_cap)

The premiere will also help raise funds for USA Bodysurfing’s and Del Mar BodySurfing Club’s youth development programs, both of which Drewelow was the director and coach. And, for those who can’t attend the movie in person, a livestream option will bring the experience to viewers everywhere.

Moore hopes that this short film will serve as both a tribute and a stepping stone toward the larger documentary project he is currently seeking support for. As he puts it: “Mark lit a torch for bodysurfing. My goal is to make sure that flame keeps burning.”